Ricky Nieves

MEET THE TEAM

Ricky Nieves

Firearms Instructor | USPSA Competitor | Team Blacksmith Member

Gun: PCC

Ricky Nieves has been competing in USPSA since 2019, after years of wanting to enter the sport but hesitating as a minority in shooting culture. His breakthrough came when he connected with Mr. Blackson on Instagram—at a time when Blackson was about to quit shooting—and together they began entering competitions, finding motivation in each other’s growth.

Originally born in Jersey City, Ricky later moved to Puerto Rico before settling in Pennsylvania, which he describes as “super gun-friendly.” His stepfather influenced his early interest in firearms.

Ricky has since built a reputation for learning fast, quickly self-diagnosing mistakes, and steadily improving with every match. His proudest moment was completing a Level 2 match at the West Virginia State Championship in his very first year without disqualification. While he hasn’t yet taken home a trophy, he is deeply committed to refining both speed and accuracy until he does.

Ricky trains every other day with dry fire practice and supplements it with weekly range sessions, often continuing his drills after filming content videos. His mental prep is rooted in planning, relaxation, and music—clearing his head the day before so that on match day, his sole focus is execution. Superstitious about his gear, he avoids cleaning his guns after a good match until performance begins to dip. He competes with CC Chateau firearms and works on his own gunsmithing.

Beyond the range, Ricky is a firearms instructor who takes pride in teaching and supporting others, especially within the Spanish community, while still being welcoming to all. He is also passionate about baseball and sees his role on Team Blacksmith as that of a positive, energizing teammate who encourages others and strengthens the team bond.

To newcomers, Ricky’s advice is simple: don’t be afraid, just show up, and believe in yourself. For him, Team Blacksmith is more than just a shooting squad—it’s a family built on trust, support, and shared passion.